[Solved] Which budget PC for gaming?

Forum Video Games : PC Gaming [Solved] Which budget PC for gaming?

Hello,

There are two PC's for sale locally. I am hoping to run games like skyrim and BF3 without needing much upgrading up front. Upgrading I can do later but tell me- Which is the better deal? Which will be better for gaming now and in the future? I don't expect to run either game at max settings. These computers could be considered a starting point.

Computer 1) $375-400
Case: Thermaltake Armor Case (http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1277&ID=1405)
PSU: Thermaltake W0106RU 700W Modular (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153039)
Motherboard: Maximus II Formula (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131319)
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad (4) Core q6600 2.4ghz (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017)
RAM: OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB DDR 2 1066 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 1GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102802)
DVD Burner
Wireless card

Computer 2) $250
CPU - AMD Phenom 9350 Quad Core Processor RAM
4 Gigabytes DDR2 800 Mhz Hard Drive
80Gb 7200 RPM Motherboard
ASROCK 780 GXE (Crossfire Capable)
Power Supply - Rosewill AP- 65012v - 650 Watt
Video Card - ATI 4670 512Mb

I would be willing to upgrade computer number 2 with the difference in price (100$+) if computer 2 is actually a GREAT GREAT deal.
Appereciate the read, let me know what your honest opinions are. Thanks!

Message edited by DownSoufMane on 10-23-2011 at 11:52:56 PM

Reply to DownSoufMane

i would go with computer 1, but realize; they are both lower to mid ranged at best systems, and would leave me wanting in a gaming scenario

------------------------------ "The kids can call you Ho-Ju"
Reply to FlintIronStagg

Best answer

Hi, If this is your only choice I'd also go for PC 1, Yes PC 2 a good deal, only 2 things needed, a phenom 2 x4 cpu and a gtx460/hd6850 GFX card and you will have yourself a plucky little gaming machine.

But then again for not a lot of more money you can get a current gen system that will outperform these. No use splashing out on outdated hardware.

Reply to werner123

obviously the first one. you can always upgrade the video card later which is the weakest link. The 2 processors....... the Intel is newer and there really is no comparison between the 2. The amd is older architecture than the phenoms and not worth a nickle.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to swifty_morgan

swifty_morgan wrote :

plus the Q6600 is a really good chip

------------------------------ "The kids can call you Ho-Ju"
Reply to FlintIronStagg

First PC.
You might as well replace that HD 4850 with another card for better performance in the games you've mentioned and for DX11 support.

Reply to Gman450

Best answer selected by DownSoufMane.

Reply to DownSoufMane

Appreciated guys!

Ya a little more research and for around $500 I could build a beefy machine.
The local University offers Windows 7 for $10 and I have a friend that's
a student. These are both craigslist computers, I'm thinking I would rather have
something brand new. Money is getting tighter though so perhaps just an xbox360
for skyrim and BF3? lol

Reply to DownSoufMane